The MAD Bill Killed
The MAD Bill represents the madness that has infected our politics. Unfortuantley it's a bipartisan poison.
There's some positive news from the world of politics this week.
The draconian and illiberal Misinformation and Disinformation (MAD) Bill looks set to be defeated in the Senate.
Of course, that depends on those who promised to vote against it honouring their commitment and the government actually introducing the Bill, knowing it is set to fail.
Under such circumstances, a prudent government would not present the Bill for debate, as the issue is publicly unpopular and not a matter of first principles.
Sometimes, presenting a proposal and losing the vote can be beneficial for a government as it can assist in framing the opposition in a particular manner.
Some contemporary examples are proposals to cut taxes or assist the elderly or veterans. Those who obstruct such legislation can be characterised as wreckers or unsympathetic.
That's when a loss can become a win.
I see no such opportunity with this MAD Bill though. It truly is an abomination that has no place in a robust democracy.
The fact that the Coalition initially proposed it (and now opposes Labor's version) shows just how far our two-party duopoly has fallen.
But the Coalition is now turning its opposition into a social-media campaign of virtue, showing just how short a memory they think the voting public has.
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